One of the bonuses of having a great running quarterback, such as Ohio State has in Braxton Miller, is the ability to do more with less on some conventional plays.

This one — let’s call it “trips left QB power-O right” — is one such example, and it gives a nod to legendary coach Vince Lombardi.

Just because the OSU offense spreads the field in the modern way doesn’t mean it throws away decades of proven plays. This one is basic at its core but adds trickery to confound the defense.

The Buckeyes ran this play on fourth-and-1 from the Nebraska 31 late in the second quarter last week, with Miller racing untouched to the end zone to give OSU a 35-24 lead.

With three wide receivers spread to the left, and with the running back lined up left of the QB in the shotgun, the defense must deploy strong to that side. And when, at the snap, the inside receiver to the left peels back as if a bubble screen is coming, the defense naturally reacts.

But also at the snap, left guard Andrew Norwell and running back Carlos Hyde start to the right. Suddenly the offense has superior numbers to that side.

When Norwell blocks the defensive end and right tackle Reid Fragel goes hunting for the middle linebacker, Hyde blocks the crashing outside linebacker and Miller has an “alley” — as Lombardi used to call it — in which to run.